Fujairah Museum: A glimpse into the emirate’s past
Popular for its mountains and beaches, the small emirate of Fujairah also offers a lot when it comes to culture and history. In fact, one of the best things to do in Fujairah is to explore its historic and heritage sites. This blog covers all that you need to know about the Fujairah Museum.
FUJAIRAH MUSEUM: SHOWCASING LIFE AS IT ONCE WAS IN THE EMIRATE
Fujairah Museum is one of the most popular attractions in the emirate. Each year, from October to March, the museum hosts thousands of visitors every week, most of them being international tourists. And during the school year, Fujairah Museum also hosts school trips, small exhibitions and events.
The structure of the museum is a small, red stone building. Just outside the front door, you will find two cannons on either side. There are parking lots outside the museum and a large garden area, where you will also find a miniaturised Fujairah Fort.
At the ticket counter, you can get flyers and other information about the museum. In addition, visitors can also purchase local handicrafts and other souvenirs from the museum shop.
FUJAIRAH MUSEUM: LOCATION AND GETTING THERE
Fujairah Museum is located near Fujairah Fort and Heritage Village. The best way to reach the museum is by car. Fujairah is one of the best places for a road trip in the UAE and you can easily reach the emirate from Dubai in less than two hours. Alternately, you can also use the Dubai to Fujairah bus service.
INSIDE THE MUSEUM
The museum has multiple halls, each highlighting different aspects of how life once was in the emirate.
The first hall exhibits traditional occupations in the UAE, such as agriculture, weaving, pottery and fishing.
The second hall has a Heritage section and highlights of this hall are antique weapons, especially the Khedewi rifle that dates from 1916. You will also see various articles of clothing as well as utensils used by locals in the past. Inside the hall, you can also find a replica of a house made from palm leaves.
A third hall includes ancient artefacts such as traditional utensils and tools. You can find a spice shop and a souq as well. Overall, there are a total of five halls in the museum, three covering heritage and two for antiquities.
NOTABLE EXHIBITS
Fujairah Museum has several exhibits as well especially objects like arrowheads, carnelian beads and vessels. These items were unearthed from places like Qidfa, Dibba Al-Fujairah and Al Badiyah in the last couple of decades.
The exhibits cover a time period from 600 B.C. to the modern period. For instance, there is an Ostrich egg that dates back to the 3rd century B.C., which is also the time when the emirate was inhabited. Another notable exhibit at the museum is a U-shaped tomb dating back to 2000 B.C.
HISTORY OF FUJAIRAH MUSEUM
Those who want to know more about Fujairah Museum will be excited to know that in 1969, this place was just a room that showcased old coins, tools, pottery and weapons. In 1991, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah officially opened the museum. He also ordered the creation of a Department of Antiquities and Heritage for Fujairah, which will be responsible for the expansion and upkeep of the museum. It was in 1998 that the museum was expanded and achieved its present outlook. The museum also has a laboratory and a section for archaeological excavations.
NEARBY HISTORIC PLACES
If you have time to spare, you can also visit the Heritage Village. The entry fee is the same as Fujairah Museum entrance fee i.e. AED 5. You get to explore forts and tents as well as watch the traditional Harbiya dance.
Another nearby historical site is Fujairah Fort, also known as Fujairah Fort. The castle dates back to the 16th century. Travel back in time as you walk through the corridors and courtyard of the fort.
FAQS
WHAT ARE THE FUJAIRAH MUSEUM OPENING TIMINGS?
Fujairah Museum opening hours are as follows:
- Sunday to Thursday: 08:30 am to 01:30 pm and 04:30 pm to 06:30 pm
- Friday: 02:30 pm to 06:30 pm
Since it is a small museum, you can check out all the exhibits within 30 minutes. This makes Fujairah Museum a perfect stopover on a weekend trip to Fujairah.
WHAT IS THE ENTRY FEE?
Fujairah Museum ticket prices are AED 5 per person.
HOW TO DO I CONTACT THE MUSEUM?
Those looking for Fujairah Museum information can reach the museum on this number: +971-9-222-9085.
This concludes our guide to the Fujairah Museum. Hopefully, you will make this attraction a part of the itinerary when you next visit Fujairah.
If you are interested in Fujairah Museum facts and want to know more about the history of the UAE, check out our list of museums in Dubai. The neighbouring emirate and the cultural capital of the UAE also has a lot to offer to history buffs. Don’t forget to check out the museums in Sharjah to learn more about the city’s glorious past.
